Stocks that are making large moves like these are favorites among short-term traders because they can jump into these names and try to capture some of that massive volatility. Stocks that are making big-percentage moves either up or down are usually in play because their sector is becoming attractive or they have a major fundamental catalyst such as a recent earnings release. Sometimes stocks making big moves have been hit with an analyst upgrade or an analyst downgrade.

Regardless of the reason behind it, when a stock makes a large-percentage move, it is often just the start of a new major trend -- a trend that can lead to huge profits. If you time your trade correctly, combining technical indicators with fundamental trends, discipline and sound money management, you will be well on your way to investment success.

Solazyme (SZYM) is in the business of transforming a range of low-cost plant-based sugars into high-value oils. This stock is trading up 6.2% to $7.94 in recent trading.

Today’s Range: $7.54-$7.94

52-Week Range: $6.45-$16.31

Volume: 438,000

Three-Month Average Volume: 638,621

From a technical perspective, SZYM is ripping higher here back above its 50-day moving average of $7.73 with decent volume. This move has started to push SZYM into breakout territory, since the stock has cleared some near-term overhead resistance at $7.74. Shares of SZYM are now quickly moving within range of triggering another major breakout trade. That trade will hit if SZYM manages to take out some near-term overhead resistance levels at $8.25 and then once it clears more resistance at $8.60 to $8.79 with high volume.

Traders should now look for long-biased trades in SZYM as long as it’s trending above its 50-day at $7.73, and then once it sustains a move or close above those breakout levels with volume that hits near or above 638,621 shares. If that breakout triggers soon, then SZYM will set up to re-test or possibly take out its next major overhead resistance levels at $9.90 to its 200-day moving average at $10.41.

Sunesis Pharmaceuticals

Sunesis Pharmaceuticals (SNSS) is a biopharmaceutical company engaged in the development and commercialization of new oncology therapeutics for the treatment of solid and hematologic cancers. This stock is trading up 8.3% to $5.56 in recent trading.

Today’s Range: $5.09-$5.73

52-Week Range: $1.38-$6.85

Volume: 1.61 million

Three-Month Average Volume: 489,606

From a technical perspective, SNSS is bouncing higher here right off some near-term support at $5 with above-average volume. This move has started to push SNSS into breakout territory, since the stock has cleared some near-term overhead resistance at $5.24. Shares of SNSS are now quickly moving within range of triggering another major breakout trade. That trade will hit if SNSS manages to take out some past overhead resistance at $5.74 with high volume. At last check, SNSS has hit an intraday high of $5.73 and volume is well above its three-month average action of 489,606 shares.

Traders should now look for long-biased trades in SNSS as long as it’s trending above $5.24, and then once it sustains a move or close above $5.74 with volume that hits near or above 489,606 shares. If that breakout triggers soon, then SNSS will set up to re-test or possibly take out its next major overhead resistance levels at $6 to $6.85.

Camelot Information Systems

Camelot Information Systems (CIS) is a domestic provider of enterprise application services and financial industry IT services in China. This stock is trading up 7.9% to $1.35 in recent trading.

Today’s Range: $1.27-$1.35

52-Week Range: $0.93-$4.07

Volume: 52,000

Three-Month Average Volume: 136,421

From a technical perspective, CIS is ripping higher here right above its 50-day moving average of $1.21 with lighter-than-average volume. This move has started to push shares of CIS into breakout territory, since the stock has taken out some near-term overhead resistance at $1.30. Shares of CIS are now quickly moving within range of triggering another major breakout trade. That trade will hit if CIS manages to take out some more overhead resistance at $1.49 with high volume.

Traders should now look for long-biased trades in CIS as long as it’s trending above its 50-day at $1.21, and then once it sustains a move or close above $1.30 to $1.49 with volume that hits near or above 136,421 shares. If that breakout hits soon, then CIS will set up to re-test or possibly take out its next major overhead resistance levels $1.70 to $1.75. Any high-volume move above $1.75 will then put $1.85 to $1.90 into range for shares of CIS.

Amarin

Amarin (AMRN) is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the commercialization and development of therapeutics to improve cardiovascular health. This stock is trading up 6.4% to $8.50 in recent trading.

Today’s Range: $8.00-$8.52

52-Week Range: $7.01-$15.96

Volume: 3.51 million

Three-Month Average Volume: 4.71 million

From a technical perspective, AMRN is spiking higher here right off some near-term support at $7.95 with lighter-than-average volume. This stock has been trending range bound for the last month, with shares moving between $7.56 on the downside and $8.85 on the upside. This move is quickly pushing AMRN within range of triggering a near-term breakout trade above the upper-end of its recent sideways trading pattern. That breakout will hit if AMRN manages to take out some near-term overhead resistance levels at $8.72 to $8.85 and then once it takes out its 50-day at $9.31 with high volume.

Traders should now look for long-biased trades in AMRN as long as it’s trending above some key near-term support at $7.95, and then once it sustains a move or close above those breakout levels with volume that hits near or above 4.71 million shares. If that breakout triggers soon, then AMRN will set up to re-test or possibly take out its next major overhead resistance levels at $9.59 to $10. Any high-volume move above $10 will then give AMRN a chance to re-fill its massive gap down zone from last December that started near $12.50.

Citizens

Citizens (CIA) is an insurance holding company, which serves the life insurance needs of individuals in the U.S. This stock is trading up 6.5% to $9.91 in recent trading.

Today’s Range: $9.36-$10.08

52-Week Range: $7.77-$11.71

Volume: 120,000

Three-Month Average Volume: 64,148

From a technical perspective, CIA is soaring higher here back above its 200-day moving average of $9.78 with above-average volume. This stock had been downtrending badly for the last month, with shares falling from its high of $11.71 to its recent low of $9.10. During that move, shares of CIA have been consistently making lower highs and lower lows, which is bearish technical price action.

That said, shares of CIA are now rebounding strong off that $9.10 low and quickly moving within range of triggering a near-term breakout trade. That trade will hit if CIA manages to take out its 50-day moving average of $10.23 with high volume.

Traders should now look for long-biased trades in CIA as long as it’s trending above its 200-day at $9.78, and then once it sustains a move or close above its 50-day at $10.23 with volume that hits near or above 64,148 shares. If that breakout triggers soon, then CIA will set up to re-test or possibly take out its next major overhead resistance levels at $10.75 to $11.71.

Comstock Mining

Comstock Mining (LODE) is a gold and silver mining company with extensive, contiguous property in the historic Comstock and Silver City mining districts. This stock is trading up 4.8% to $1.93 in recent trading.

Today’s Range: $1.80-$1.97

52-Week Range: $1.59-$3.42

Volume: 213,000

Three-Month Average Volume: 191,248

From a technical perspective, LODE is ripping higher here right above some near-term support at $1.75 with above-average volume. This bounce is coming after shares of LODE were downtrending badly for the last four months, with shares plunging from its high of $3.39 to its recent low of $1.71. During that move, shares of LODE were consistently making lower highs and lower lows, which is bearish technical price action. That said, shares of LODE are now starting to rebound strong off $1.75 and its quickly moving within range of triggering a major breakout trade. That trade will hit if LODE manages to take out some near-term overhead resistance levels at $1.96 to its 50-day moving average at $2.13 with high volume.

Traders should now look for long-biased trades in LODE as long as it’s trending above today’s low of $1.84, and then once it sustains a move or close above those breakout levels with volume that hits near or above 191,248 shares. If that breakout triggers soon, then LODE will set up to re-test or possibly take out its next major overhead resistance levels at $2.30 to its 200-day moving average of $2.45. Any high-volume move above $2.45 will then put $2.80 to $3 into range for shares of LODE.

Geron

Geron (GERN) is a biopharmaceutical company developing first-in-class therapies for cancer. This stock is trading up 7.3% to $1.60 in recent trading.

Today’s Range: $1.48-$1.63

52-Week Range: $0.91-$2.99

Volume: 688,000

Three-Month Average Volume: 1.17 million

From a technical perspective, GERN is exploding higher here right off its 50-day moving average of $1.50 with lighter-than-average volume. This move is also starting to push shares of GERN back above its 200-day moving average of $1.59. Shares of GERN are now quickly moving within range of triggering a major breakout trade. That trade will hit if GERN manages to clear some key overhead resistance levels at $1.78 to $1.83 with high volume.

Traders should now look for long-biased trades in GERN as long as it’s trending above some key near-term support at $1.47, and then once it sustains a move or close above those breakout levels with volume that hits near or above 1.17 million shares. If that breakout triggers soon, then GERN will set up to re-fill some of its massive gap down zone from last September that started near $3.

Pacific Ethanol

Pacific Ethanol (PEIX) is a marketer and producer of low-carbon renewable fuels in the Western U.S. This stock is trading up 14.5% to 38 cents per share in recent trading.

Today’s Range: $0.33-$0.39

52-Week Range: $0.27-$1.69

Volume: 8.54 million

Three-Month Average Volume: 2.04 million

From a technical perspective, PEIX is skyrocketing higher here right off its 50-day moving average of 33 cents per share with monster upside volume. This stock has been trending sideways for the last three months, with shares moving between 30 cents on the downside and 42 cents on the upside. This move today is quickly pushing PEIX within range of triggering a major breakout trade above the upper-end of its recent sideways trading pattern. That breakout will hit if PEIX manages to take out some key overhead resistance levels at 42 cents to 43 cents per share and then once it clears its 200-day at 46 cents per share with high volume.

Traders should now look for long-biased trades in PEIX as long as it’s trending above 35 cents per share, and then once it sustains a move or close above those breakout levels with volume that hits near or above 2.04 million shares. If that breakout triggers soon, then PEIX will set up to re-fill some of its previous gap down zone from last September that started near 60 cents per share. Any high-volume move above 60 cents per share will then put 70 to 75 cents per share into range for shares of PEIX.

At the time of publication, author had no positions in stocks mentioned.

Roberto Pedone, based out of Windermere, Fla., is an independent trader who focuses on technical analysis for small- and large-cap stocks, options, futures, commodities and currencies. Roberto studied international business at the Milwaukee School of Engineering, and he spent a year overseas studying business in Lubeck, Germany. His work has appeared on financial outlets including CNBC.com and Forbes.com. You can follow Pedone on Twitter at www.twitter.com/zerosum24 or @zerosum24.